23rd May 2016 Oxfam New Zealand and the University of Auckland in collaboration with the National Emergency Management Office and the Department of Climate Change organized a one-day workshop entitled: ‘Strengthening the capacities of climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction stakeholders in Tonga’. This workshop was held on the 19th May 2016 at the NEMO Conference Room from 9am to 4 pm. Andrew Toimoana, acting CEO of MEIDECC, delivered the opening remarks and provided the participants with certificates of completion of this workshop.
Increasingly policy makers, scientists and practitioners recognize that Climate Change Adaptation (CCA) and Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) should be integrated in a common framework. Pacific countries have been leading such integration of CCA and DRR through innovative policies at both international and national levels. This workshop emphasised lessons learned from Tongan experiences and develop an agenda towards strengthening the capacities for CCA and DRR stakeholders in Tonga.
The workshop was funded by Oxfam New Zealand. The participants included government staff from the National Emergency Management Office, Department of Climate Change, Ministry of Agriculture Food Forest and Fisheries, and Tonga Meteorological Services. International and local Non-Governmental Organizations included Tonga National Youth Congress, Act for Peace, Tonga Community Development Trust and Oxfam. Participants also included development partners such as DFAT, MFAT and UNDP as well as representatives from local communities including town and district officers.
Issued by: Oxfam New Zealand